Machine for treating containers



Sept. 23, 1947, H. R. RICH MACHINE FOR TREATING CONTAINERS Filed Dec. 9, 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 ww is@ Sept. 23, 1947. H. R. RICH MACHINE FOR TREATENG ,CONTAINERS Filed Dec. 9, 1941 v4 se's'l's'heet I2" a@ OU@ a@ T Sept. 23, i947. H. R. RICH MACHINE FOR TREATING CONTAINERS Filed Dec. 9, 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTo @Mmmm BY Sept.` 23, E947. H. R.4RlcH MACHINE FOR TEATING CONTAINERS Filed Dec. 9, 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 ml #Nw Patented Sept. 23, 1947 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE'A MACHINE Foa TREATING coNTAmERs Hyman Richard Rich, Milwaukee, Wis., assgnor to Enoz Chemical Company, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Application December 9, 1941, Serial No. 422,270

14 Claims.

My invention relates to apparatus for treating cases and machines capable of utilizing a method wherein a large Volume of gas is confined in such a manner that containers and cases of Various sorts may be passed through the gas for treatment and then discharged from the treatment zone.

Among the objects of my invention is to provide apparatus for treating containers by subjecting said containers simultaneously to physical agitation and a treatment with vapor so that the desired action of the vapor is concentrated more readily upon the containers and any insects or parasites in it which are to be affected by the vapor.

Another object of my invention is to provide means for killing insects in containers which includes apparatus for agitating and vibrating the containers s as to dislodge insects from concealed corners and crevices, causing them to scatter about in the open and then subjecting them when dislodged to a cloud of insecticida] vapor in order to kill them before they return to their places of concealment in the containers.

Another object of my invention is to provide a new and improved machine for treating containers which is capable of creating and confining a large volume of vapor or gas having antiseptic or insecticidal properties and providing a conveyor extending through the portion of the machine coniining they vapor so that containers and cases of one sort or another can be deposited on the conveyor, passed through the vapor where they are subjected to physical agitation while the vapor is penetrating and from which they may be passed in a completely treated state.

Another object of my invention is to provide a new and improved machine for treating containers which is adapted to create and maintain a large volume of gaseous vapor having insect destroying, prophylactic or antiseptic properties wherein the unused insecticide is collected,

cleaned and returned to the source of supply for use again in the same apparatus.

Still another object of my invention is to provide a new and improved machine which is particularly well adapted to the treatment of cases and containers having cracks and recesses wherein insect life can be concealed. lI'he invention consists ci providing in the machine a means for physically agitating the cases and containers by bumping and vibration for disturbing the insect life at the same time the cases and containers are treated with some gaseous vapor for killing the insect life which is thus disturbed from its hiding place.

Also included among the objects of my invention is to providea machine for treating cases and containers wherein the cases and containers are subjected to vibration and physical agitation while being carried upon a conveyor and so isolating the portion of the conveyor supporting the vibration mechanism that the remaining parts of the machine are substantially free from vibration.

With these and other objects in view, my invention consists in the construction, arrangement and combination ofthe various parts of my device whereby the objects contemplated are attained, as hereinafter more fully set forth, pointed out in my claims and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1vshows a side. elevational view of my container-treating machine; y

Figure 2 is a plan view ofthe machine shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a side View in section showing the loading end of the device taken on the line 3--3 of Figure 2 and drawn to a slightly larger scale;

Figure 4 is a side view in section showing the unloading end of the device taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 2 and drawn to a slightly larger scale;

Figure 5 is an end View of the unloading end of the device, partly in section, taken on line -S of Figure 4; and

Figure 6 is a cross sectional view taken on the line 6 6 of Figure 1.

In the treatment of containers in order to render them sanitary and particularly in treating cases as, for example, the wooden cases which arev frequently usedv to ship bottled beer and soft drinks, it is advisable and necessary that the cases when returned to the source of supply be thoroughly and completely clean. In the bottled-drink business, for example, when cases of bottles are sent out to purchasers, the cases stand around'under very unsanitary conditions in the customers shops and are then later sent back to the source Aof supply lled with empty bottles. It becomes highly essential that insect life, such as roaches, silver bugs and the like, which may have secreted themselves or have left eggs in concealed cracks and corners of the cases be thoroughly destroyed before the cases are again relled. Not only must the plant Where the refilling is accomplished be kept clean and sanitary, but also the cases must be thoroughly clean before being sent out again to some other purchaser so that his premises may not be infested by insect life from the rst source. y

It is well-known among entomologists that although it is extremely difficult to provide some penetrating insecticide which will kill all insect life in hidden cracks and corners, it is quite easy to kill insects when they are disturbed and come out into the open. It is likewise well-known that insects which are actively moving about are much more susceptible to the penetrating effect of insecticidal vapors and liquids than are the same insects when remaining perfectly still.

Having in mind these phenomena with regard to the technique of killing insects, the subject matter of this application is directed to providing a means for agitating cases and containers in which insects may be lodged so that they are disturbed and will move rapidly about, rendering them susceptible to the action of a killing insecticidal vapor.

One embodiment of a machine directed to this purpose is shown and illustrated in the drawings wherein the reference character I indicates a framework for the device consisting of vertical columns II and crossbracing I2. Supported upon the frame is a conveyor indicated generally by the reference character I3. The midp'ortion of the conveyor between its opposite ends is enclosed by means of a tunnel I4 through which the conveyor passes. As shown particularly in Figure l, it is often advisable to so place the conveyor that a loading end I5 is located outside of the wall I6 of a building and so placed that an unloading end I 'I is well within the building.

A5 seen in greater detail in Figure 3, the frame IU has mounted upon it at the loading end a loading platform 2U which is supported by an angie bracket 2I and a supporting arm 22 attached in turn to the frame. At its inside end 23, the loading platform is secured to the tunnel portion of the device. At the unloading end of the frame there is an unloading or receiving platform 25. This platform' is supported upon the frame similarly to the loading platform by means of an angle bracket 26 and supporting arm 21. Also supported upon the frame are guides `28 which are somewhat in the form of channels and eX- tend throughout the length of the frame from the loading end to the unloading end, at approximately the level of the loading and unloading platforms. Also at the bottom of the frame there are provided similar guides 29 which likewise eX- tend throughout the length of the frame.

Endless chains 3U and 30 are provided, one on each side of the machine and these chains pass respectively through the upper guides 28 and along through the lower guides 29. As shown in the drawings, the chains are linked and are passed over an idling sprocket 3I at the loading end and, a driving sprocket 32 at the unloading end. At spaced intervals along the chain, links are provided with projections 33 and a bar 34 eX- tends from each projection on one chain across the device to a similarly positioned projection on the other chain.

At the unloading end there is provided a motor 35 which is connected by means of a train of gears 35 and sprockets 31 to the sprocket 31 and thence the drive sprockets 32 which are positioned in driving relationship with the chains, driving them both at exactly the same rate. It should be noted further that there are provided at the bottom of the frame at the loading end cover elements 38 which extend over the top of the lower guides 29 and at the unloading end similar cover elements 39, these cover elements being designed to guide the chains and to hold them in the lower guides there during the course of operation.

For supporting articles such as a case 40 containing bottles 4I, there are provided in addition to the loading and unloading platforms, narrow skids 42 forming part of a track and adjustable side elements 43. The portions of the side elements where they extend within the tunnel have been labeled 42. The track and both portionsl of the side elements, together with the chains 3i] and 33', comprise a conveying means for conducting cases of bottles through the tunnel. The side elements can be either spread apart or brought closer together to accommodate cases of different widths by adjusting bolts A3 in slots 43". It will be noted that the track is individually supported at the loading end by means of similar arms 44 and at the unloading end by means of similar arms 45. The arms in turn are supported by cross pieces i6 and l? respectively, from which legs 48 and 48 extend to a stationary base or some portion of the iioor i9 of the building.- The arms 64 and 'i5 in the embodiment herein illustrated provide a somewhat springlike suspension for the track but it is contemplated that a vibration-damping element as for example cork or rubber, may be interposed between one end of each supporting arm and the crosspiece connected thereto or between the legs and the floor to prevent the transmission of vibration from the track to the oor. The damper may be, for example, a pad 48".

The tunnel I4 is made customarily of sheet metal or some similarly enveloping material and surrounds the entire central portion of the upper run of the conveyor. The tunnel is provided with a top 5U and sides 5I and 52. A pan 53 forms the bottom of the tunnel and in the embodiment shown is given a V shape so that fluid falling into the pan will gravitate toward the center. The tunnel in turn is fastened to the frame by means of bolts or rivets 5 in order to secure it in place. A plate 55 at each end closes the ends of the tunnel beneath the loading and unloading plates.

As viewed particularly in Figures 3, 4 and 5, there are provided doors 55 and 51 each having sections hinged one with respect to the other and suspended within the opening at the opposite ends of the tunnel. The door 56 occupies the dotted line position shown in Figure 3 when in normal position effectively sea-ling the loading end of the tunnel. As indicated in Figure 3, the door normally tends to close by itself but in being fashioned of hinged portions it can be opened by pushing a case of bottled goods against it as illustrated by the solid lines. The door 5l located at the unloading end and provided with similar hinged portions is capable of being opened out-- wardly to permit exit of a case of empty bottles from the tunnel.

In order to maintain the tunnel lled with a gaseous vapor, there is provided at one side of the machine a tank shown in Figure 2 of the patent application to which is connected a supply line B2 for passing fluid or liquid from the tank to an atomizer 6I positioned centrally within the tunnel. Details of the atomizer are shown and described in my Patent No. 2,250,034, issued Juli1 22, 1941. Located also at the side of the machine is a compressor connected by a pressure line 60 to the lower portion of the atomizer. As indicated herein, there may be a set of three jets 53 facing in one direction, namely. toward the loading end and a similar set of three jets facing in a general direction toward the unloading end.

At the bottom of the pan there is a drain 511. and the drainage travels through a return pipe 65 from the drain, through a filter and thence back to the tank. Within the pan there is provided a screen 6B designed to catch dead insects which may fall from the cases and a manhole 6'! is provided with a manhole cover 58 which can be removed in order to permit cleaning of the inside of the pan at periodic intervals.

In order to agitate the cases 4i? of bottles when they are passing within the tunnel, the loading end 10 of the track 42 is positioned a slight distance below the level of the loading platform so that the cases 40 must drop to the track they are pushed into the tunnel.

Also on the track there is provided a bumper 'Il which consists of a raised section on each side of the track supported by a cross strip l! and having the end adjacent the loading end of the machine level with the track and the opposite end elevated from the normal track level. The last indicated end in each case is arranged to be elevated by means of an adjustable screw 'lil supported on a cross strip 12 so that the bumper can be made as high or as low as desired. The bumper on each side of the track at the location indicated in Figure 3. It is also found advisable on occasions to provide another pair of bumpers on the track at some location intermediate the center of the tunnel and the unloading end.

A vibrating device 8B, which may be of conventional design is shown herein as an off-center weight 8| connected to the track by legs 82 and located customarily near the center of the tunnel. A drive shaft 83 extends outside the tunnel and may be connected to some suitable source of power. The vibrator in practice is'customarily connected to or mounted upon the track and out of contact with the rest of the machine. By locating the vibrator in this manner, the full force of the vibrations are imparted to the track and the cases which it carries, while the vibrations are not spent and wasted in vibrating the remaining portion of the machine. By providing Vibration dampers in the supports which hold the track in its position, the vibrations are prevented from being transmitted to the iloor or other stationary base upon which the machine rests. A switch 85 is provided for operating the conveyor motor, a switch 85 for controlling the vibrator and a switch 81 for controlling the vaporizer, all conveniently located side by side at one side of the apparatus.

In operation, it is customary to unload a truck of empty bottle cases adjacent the loading end of the conveyor outside the wall I6 of the bottling plant. Cases 4B are placed one by one upon the loading platform 20. The conveyor motor is started and the chains 3i) and 3u are driven around their guides 28 and 29 in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in Figures 1, 3 and 4. As the chains travel in this direction, one of the bars 34 will be brought against the rear side of a case and push it from right to left off the loading platform into the tunnel. When the bottles push against the hinged door 55, they will urge the door to a temporary open position in order to permit the case of bottles to be admitted to the tunnel, as shown by the solid lines in Figure 3. It will also be noted that by reason of the fact that the track i2 is depressed below the level of the loading platform as soon as the case is passed inside of the tunnel, it will fall down upon the track and jar the case and its contents. It is important to note that this initial jarring takes place inside of the tunnel. The initial jarring is the first of a series of mechanical agitations imparted to the case in order to dislodge insect life that might be concealed in corners or cracks. After the case has passed within the tunnel, the hinged door 56 will automatically return to its initial position, effectively sealing the tunnel from the outside air.

Meanwhile, the atomizer is turned on and the jets 63 immediately fill the entire conned space Within the tunnel with an insect-killing vapor. 'I'hose insectsl which are jarred from their hiding place upon admission of the case to the tunnel are then promptly killed by the insecticidal gas.

As the bar 34 continues to pass the case from right to left through the tunnel, the case is slid first upwardly over the pair of bumpers 1I which are on the right-hand side of the midportion of the tunnel, as viewed in Figures 1, 2 and 3. Upon passing over the ends of the bumpers, the case is jarred a second time, tending to dislodge additional insect life which is thereupon brought into contact with the insect-killing vapor in the tunnel. Similarly, a third pair of bumpers to the left of the midportion of the tube again jars the case upon its passage toward the unloading end.

Meanwhile, the track is subjected to intense vibrations of high frequency and these vibrations are passed directly to the case. It is essentially these vibrations of high frequency which agitate and frighten insects out of their hiding places in the cracks and corners of the case. As the insects move about, they become much more susceptible to action by the insect-killing vapor. Similarly, the larva and eggs which might be deposited by the inserts are jarred loose from places of concealment and are likewise subjected to the action of insect-killing vapor. Insects which are killed in this manner fall from the case through the conveyor and are caught upon the screen 66. 'I'he skids forming the track of the conveyor are kept relatively narrow so that dead insects will fall through the conveyor and not become lodged upon the tracks. After the case has been passedthrough the tunnel to the unloading end, the bottles push the hinged outlet door 5l open in passing through and the case is then deposited upon the unloading platform 25, after which the door 5l automatically returns to a closed position. The cases can then be removed from the unloading platform by hand or by some suitable conveying means.

It is highly desirable to keep the entire space within the tunnel completely lled with the insect-killing vapor, To accomplish this, sets of jets are pointed in both directions from .the cenl trai portion of the tunnel and spray vapor at the cases as they are introduced into the tunnel and continue to spray vapor at them as they are moved toward the exit. The dense cloud of vapor thus produced not only fills the upper portion of the tunnel above the tracks but sinks and rllls the lower portion of the tunnel adjacent the V shaped pan 53. Although some ci the vapor condenses upon and adheres to the cases and bottles as they pass through, a large portion of it eventually condenses in the pan 53, flows down into the bottom of the pan and passes from there through the drain Ell and into the return pipe 65. The screen 65 is designed to catch dead insects and other dirt in order to prevent it from passing out the drain. As the condensed vapor continues through the return line B5, it is passed through a filter in order to clean it and then returned to the fluid tank. So long as there isv fluid in the tank, it can be passed upward by the jet action in the atomizer which is supplied by means of compressed air in the compressed-air line 62 from the compressor. It is contemplated, of course, that any convenient atomizing device may be used in order to maintain a proper cloud of insect-killing vapor Within the tunnel.

The action of the conveyor may be continuous so long as there are cases of bottles to be treated but vibration of the track over which the cases are carried may be made intermittent in order to secure the best effect. It has frequently been found advisable to so time the vibrating action that it will occur only after a case of bottles has been completely received within the tunnel and the door closed behind it so that insects which are dislodged cannot escape Without coming into contact with the insect-killing vapor. This is further desirable in that it prevents vibration of the case while a portion of it still remains outside of the tunnel and resting upon the loading platform.

Some changes may be made in the construction and arrangement of the parts of my device Without departing from the real spirit and purpose of my invention, and it is my intention to cover by my claims any modified forms of structure, or use of mechanical equivalents, which may be reasonably included Within their scope.

I claim as my invention:

1. A device for treating containers comprising an enclosed tunnel having an inlet and an outlet, normally closed doors at said inlet and outlet, a conveyor for containers extending through said tunnel from the inlet to the outlet including a system of skids, an agitator adapted to impart vibrations of relatively high frequency to said system of skids and said containers Within the tunnel and a vapor-emitting device in the tunnel for maintaining a treating vapor in said tunnel While said containers are subject to-agitation.

2. A device for destroying insect infestation in containers comprising an enclosed tunnel having an inlet and an outlet, normally closed doors at said inlet and outlet, a conveyor for containers extending through said tunnel from the inlet to the outlet, a vibrating device connected -to said conveyor for imparting a set of vibrations of relatively high frequency to the conveyor and the containers carried thereby to dislodge insect life carried by the containers Within the tunnel, an agitator in the path of the containers for initially imparting a different set of vibrations to the containers, and a vapor emitting device in the tunnel for maintaining said tunnel full of an insectdestroying vapor 3. A device for destroying insect infestation in containers comprising an enclosed tunnel having an inlet, an outlet and normally closed doors respectively at said inlet and said outlet, a conducting means extending through the tunnel for conducting cases therethrough, a loading station at one end thereof and an unloading station at the other end, a vibrator connected to the conducting means adapted to set up vibrations in said means and the cases carried thereby, and means for forming a cloud of insecticidal vapor within said tunnel.

4. A device for destroying insect infestation in cases and containers comprising an enclosed tunnel having an inlet, an outlet and normally closed doors respectively at Said inlet and said outlet, a conducting means for cases extending through the tunnel and including a supporting track and an endless chain having impellers thereon for passing the cases through the tunnel, a loading station at one end thereof and an unloading station at the other end, a vibrator connected to a portion of the cases carried by the conducting means ata location Within the tunnel, and means for forming a cloud of insecticidal vapor in said tunnel.

5. A device for destroying insect infestation in cases and containers comprising an enclosed tunnel having an inlet, an outlet and normally closed doors respectively at said inlet and said outlet, said doors being swingable to open position in response to movement of a case thereagainst, a

`conducting means for cases extending through the tunnel including a supporting track and an 'endless chain having impellers thereon for passing the cases through the tunnel, a loading platform at one end thereof and an unloading platform at the other end, a vibrator connected to the conducting means for setting up vibrations therein and the cases carried thereby at locations Within the tunnel, an insecticidal vapor dispensing device in said tunnel and an outlet for Withdrawing excess vapor condensate from the tunnel.

6. A device for destroying insect infestation in cases and containers comprising an enclosed tunnel having an inlet, an outlet and normally closed doors respectively at said inlet and said outlet, said doors being swingable to Open position in response to movement of a case thereagainst, a conducting means for cases extending through the tunnel including a case supporting track and an endless chain having impellers thereon for passing the cases through the tunnel, a loading platform at one end thereof and an unloading platform at the other end, a vibrator attached to the conducting means adapted to be operated at will for setting up vibrations in said conducting means and the cases carried thereby at a location within the tunnel, steps in the track intermediate the ends of the tunnel forming bumps for jarring the cases during passage through the tunnel, an insecticidal vapor dispensing device in said tunnel, and an outlet for withdrawing excess vapor condensate from the tunnel.

7. A device for destroying insect infestation in cases and containers comprising an enclosed tunnel having an inlet, an outlet and normally closed doors respectively at said inlet and said outlet, said doors being swingable to open position in response to movement of a case thereagainst, a conducting means for cases extending through the tunnel from inlet to outlet including a case supporting track and an endless chain having impellers thereon for urging the cases through the tunnel, a loading platform at one end thereof and an unloading platform at the `other end, a vibrator attached to the conducting means adapted to be operated from time to time for setting up vibrations in said conducting means and the cases carried thereby at a location within the tunnel when said doors are closed, steps spaced along the track intermediate the ends of the tunnel forming bumps for jarring the cases during passage through the tunnel, a container for iiuid insecticide, an atomizer in said tunnel connected with the container for spraying an insecticidal vapor into the tunnel and a drain and return line for returning excess insecticide to the container.

8. In a device for destroying insect infestation in containers including a conducting means having moving elements forming a portion thereof for moving containers therealong, the combination of a tunnel enclosing a portion of the conducting means between the ends, said tunnel having self-closing doors at the ends, each door comprising a plurality of horizontal panels connected together respectively by a plurality of sets of hinges on horizontal axes to enable said door to be opened by a container an amount only sufficient to admit said container therethrough, a pan forming a bottom for the tunnel positioned beneath a portion of the conducting means, a tank for fluid insecticide, a feed line from the tank to the tunnel and an atomizer in the top of the tunnel having a pressure jet connected to the feed line for filling said tunnel with a cloud of insect-killing vapor, a screen in the pan for separating dead insects from the excess fluid, and an outlet line from the tank for removing excess fiuid.

9. In a device for destroying insect infestation in containers comprising a conducting means including a relatively stationary track and movable means at the sides of the track egtending over said track for contact with containers thereon for pushing said containers along the track, the combination of a tunnel enclosing a portion of the conducting means between the ends, said tunnel having self-closing doors at the ends adapted to be pushed open by a container, a pan forming a bottom for the tunnel positioned beneath the track, a tank for fluid insecticide, a feed line from the tank to the tunnel and an atomizer in the top of the tunnel having two sets of jets adapted to be subjected to pressure, one pointing toward each end, connected to the feed line for filling said tunnel with a cloud of insectkilling vapor, a screen in the lower portion of the pan for separating dead insects from the excess insecticidal fluid, a drain in the bottom of the pan, and a return line lfrom the drain to the tank for returning excess fluid thereto for re-use.

10. The combination with a building of a device for treating containers with gas, said device comprising a closed tunnel adapted to be lled with gas and having one end outside the building and the other end inside the building, a set of relatively narrow longitudinal skids forming a track extending through the tunnel, a support at each end of the track outside the tunnel extending to a stationary base, a vibration producing device connected to the track and vibration damping elements between the track and the stationary base for damping the transmission of vibration to said base, a loading station at one end of the track and a receiving station at the other end, a driving member including an endless chain extending through the tunnel adjacent the track including means for engaging said containers for driving them from the loading station along the track to the unloading station, and a supporting frame for the chain positioned on a stationary base independently of the track supports.

11. The combination with a building of a device for treating containers with gas, said device comprising a closed tunnel adapted to be lled with gas and having one end outside the building and the other end inside the building, a set of relatively narrow longitudinal skids forming a track extending through the tunnel, a support at each end of the track outside the tunnel extending to a stationary base, a vibration producing device connected to the track and vibration damping elements between the track and the stationary base for damping the transmission of vibration to said base, a loading station at one end of the track and an unloading station at the other end, means for passing thel containers through the tunnel including a guide means within the tunnel adjacent the track, an endlesschain extending through said guide means and an extension on the chain for engaging said containers for driving them from the loading station along the track to the unloading station, and a supporting frame for the chain positioned on a stationary base independently of the track supports.

12. The combination with a building of a device for treating containers with gas, said device cornprising a closed tunnel adapted to be filled with gas and having one end outside the building and the other end inside the building, a track extending through the tunnel, a support at each end of the track outside the tunnel extending to a stationary base, a mechanical vibrator connected to the track fOr vibrating containers carried thereby, a loading station at one end of the track and an unloading station at the other end, guides Within the tunnel at the sides of the track, an endless chain on each side extending through said guides and means spanning the track from chain to chain for engaging said containers for driving them from the loading station along the track to the unloading station, a supporting frame for the chains positioned on a stationary base independently of the track supports and a motor to drive the chains.

13. The combination with a building of a device for treating containers with gas, said device comprising a closed tunnel adapted to be lled with gas and having one end outside the building and the other end inside the building, a track extending through the tunnel, a support at each end of the track outside the tunnel extending to a stationary base, a vibration producing device connected to the track and means incorporated in the supports for damping the transmission of vibration from the track to said base, a loading station at one end of the track and an unloading station at the other end, guides within the tunnel at the sides of the track, an endless chain on each side extending through said guides and bars spanning the track from chain to chain for engaging said containers for driving them from the loading station along the track to the unloading station, a supporting frame for said guides and chains positioned on a stationary base independently of the track supports and a motor to drive the chains.

14. The combination with a building of a device for treating containers with gas, said device comprising a closed tunnel adapted to be lled with gas having one end outside the building and the other end inside the building, a set of relatively narrow longitudinal skids forming a pair of tracks extending through the tunnel, plates adjacent the tracks having adjusting elements connected to the tracks adapted to vary the opening therebetween to accommodate containers of different width, a support at each end of the tracks outside the tunnel extending to a stationary base, a vibration producing device connected to the pair of tracks and vibration damping elements between the tracks and the stationary base for damping the transmission of vibration to said base, a loading platform at one end of the tracks and an unloading platform at the other end, guides within the tunnel at the sides of the tracks, an endless chain on each side extending through said guides and bars spanning the tracks from chain to chain for engaging said containers for driving them from the loading platform along the tracks to the unloading platform, a supporting 11 12 frame for said guides and chains positioned on a y stationary base independently of the track sup- UNITED STATES PATENTS ports and a motor to drive the chains. Number Name Date HYMAN RICHARD RICH 5 1,062,404 Kiefer May 2o, 1913 1,532,157 Ringeling Apr. 7, 1925 REFERENCES CITED 1,779,152 Wheeler oct. 21, 1930 The following references are of record in the 1,853,335 Cook Apr. 12, 1932 le of this patent: 2,145,475 Cook Jan. 31, 1939 Certificate of Correction Patent No. 2,427,811. SeptenlbeiI 23, 1947. HYMAN RICHARD RICH It is hereby certified that errors appear in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Column 5, line 16, for the numeral 71 read 71'; column 6, line 36, for the Word inserts read 'insects;'column 8, line 5, claim 4, after of the insert the Words conducting means for setting up vibrations there/n and the; column 9, line 75, and column 10, lines 1 and 2, strike out the Words means for passing the containers through the tunnel including; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with these corrections therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 17th day of February, A. D. 1948.

THOMAS F. MURPHY,

Assistant ommz'ssioner of Patents. 

